Most Infamous Pirates in History

Updated on February 25, 2016

Pirates of all different kinds of nationalities. | Source

Famous Pirates of History

Throughout history, many pirates have sailed the open seas. Although pirates went by many different names dependent on the time period they sailed and where they originated. Some of these names included corsair, buccaneer, viking, privateer. Regardless of what they called themselves, they all plundered merchant ships while sailing on the ocean.

Many of these men, became not only well known during their own time, but are still infamous today. Well known did not always translate into being the most successful or richest pirate that ever lived, but they stood out due to their own unique characteristics. One had a demonic presence, another burned down an entire city, one was a woman, and another allowed women on his ship. They were all dangerous, they all stole, and they all are remembered hundreds of years after their death.

What was the most important quality of a pirate?

Pirate Henry Morgan: the Buccaneer King

Captain Henry Morgan was a Welsh Buccaneer, also known as the Buccaneer King. He was born in 1635 to a farmer, which seems a very unremarkable beginning for a ruthless man.

In his teenage years, he became an indentured servant. Back then, a white servant was treated worse than a black or Indian slave, because they were not easily sold. Indentured servants usually left servitude penniless, which may be his inspiration for eventually becoming a buccaneer.

He joined his first pirate crew at the age of twenty, and it did not take him long to realize that pirating could be profitable. He stole for most of his life until 1682, then died six years later in 1688.

Very early as a pirate, he impressed his companions and was chosen as captain. His fame skyrocketed during his last battle in 1671, when he inadvertently burned down the entire city of Panama, which at the time was the second largest city in the Western Hemisphere

He was well-respected as a captain. When he announced that he wanted recruits to help him in his attack on Panama, 2,000 men and 37 ships showed up. This was in part due to his generous hand, as well as his great leadership abilities. During this particular raid, he requested only one percent of the loot for himself, since his quest was political not financial.

Despite the large turnout, the war began with his men heavily outnumbered, three to one. Within hours the pirates had killed 600 of Panama's men, and injured or maimed scores more. Unfortunately, many of Morgan's men were also killed or injured in the attack.

He told his men not to drink the liquor in case it was poisoned. The truth was more likely that he did not want his men drinking, in fear of drunkenness inhibited their ability to fight. After days of fighting, the city went up in flames, and continued to smolder over four nights.

At first, many thought Morgan had requested the burning of the city, but he had much to lose by the burning of the city and nothing to gain.

Despite his years of killing and pillaging, he ended his life as a semi-respectable man. He was pardoned and became governor in Jamaica. He was governor for two years and married his cousin, Mary Elizabeth. He died a rich man four years later with his wife by his side.

Drawing of Anne Bonny

Anne Bonny an 18th Century female pirate | Source

Female Pirate: Anne Bonny

Female pirates were very uncommon, since having a woman on board was thought to be unlucky. Therefore, when there was a female pirate, they became well known, such as in the case of Anne Bonny. She was born in 1697 as a result of her father having an affair with a housemaid named Peg Brennan. Her father William Cormac admitted to the affair and after being ostracized, separated from his wife. He then took Anne and her mother to South Carolina. Anne's mother did not live very long, and when she died, Cormac raised his daughter on his own. Anne was a very uncontrollable rebellious child.

When she got older, her father disowned her when she married an ex-pirate and sailor named James Bonny. Ironically, her father James worked as an informant who turned in pirates for a bounty. Through him, she met many pirates, one in particular was John Rackham aka Calico Jack. She ran off with him in 1719.

Soon after they met, she became pregnant. He left her on land to have the baby. No one knows for sure what happened to her baby after it was born; what we do know is that she rejoined Calico Jack's ship after she gave birth without the baby. On board she dressed as a man, to either hide her identity or to gain respect. There she met a fellow cross-dressing female pirate by the name of Mary Read. It is rumored that the two became lovers, although it is certain that they were good friends.

They did not sail long together, for the ship was soon captured. All the men on board were hung. The women either feigned pregnancy or really were. In either case, they were spared, and were allowed to give birth before being hung. Her friend Mary Read died in prison a month after the capture, never having the baby.

Although not proven, it is believed that Bonny's father paid officials to keep quiet of her escapement. She is believed to have returned to South Carolina, where she gave birth to Rackham's second child. She later married Joseph Burleigh and had five to eight children with him. If this story is true, she died in her eighties and was buried in York County in Virginia. There are many contradictions to her time after being captured.

Photo of Jack Rackham

Jack Rackham was nicknamed Calico Jack. | Source

Calico Jack: John Rackham

John Rackham, Anne Bonny's lover, received the nickname Calico Jack, because he often wore the clothing from bright Indian Calico cloth. Calico cloth was very cheap, named because it was made in Calico. Little is known of his youth, although his pirating years were well-known, due to being one of the only captains to allow women on board. He did not believe that women brought a ship bad luck, although his adventures do not support his belief. He allowed two that are known for sure: Anne Bonny and Mary Reed.

He was not very successful due to his poor judgement, although he had great courage. Poor judgement and courage is not the best combination, especially in a pirate captain.

Rackham led two crews during his years as captain; each time they were caught. The first time he was caught, they did not harm the men. He sought a pardon and received one from governor Woodes Rogers. He retired briefly.

It was at this time that he began his love affair with Anne Bonny. Her husband threatened his life several times. Yet, Jack with his boldness, eventually paid her husband to annul the marriage. Unfortunately for the couple, the annulment was not acknowledged, which is why they ran off. He went back to pirating, and she joined piracy herself.

The second crew he led, eventually were caught by privateers on the coast of Jamaica. The men were easily captured, because they had been celebrating a great plunder from the night before. The only two that fought against the capture were the two women, Anne Bonny and Mary Reed. Most likely because they were the only sober ones. All of the crew were brought into custody and found guilty. On November 18,1720, all of the men were hung at Gallows Point in Port Royal.

Photo of Blackbeard

Edward Thatch, more commonly known as Blackbeard, was one of the most ruthless pirates that ever was. | Source

Edward Thatch: Blackbeard

Edward Thatch is one of the most infamous pirates of all time. Not because of his success or his riches, but because of the pure demonic presence he would portray when attacking a ship. He tied hemp in his long black beard, then light it on fire as he hopped aboard a merchant ship. The beard would sputter and smoke, causing him to look inhuman.

Once people saw his large frame and glowing beard with a massive amount of weaponry strewn across his body, most merchants would hand over their loot without even a fight.

Many feared him on and off land during his reign of terror from 1716 to 1718. Once he even captured a few men and demanded medicine from a nearby town as ransom. Once the little town north of Charleston harbor was aware of his prisoners, they sent him the medicine. Once he received his loot, he kept his word and released the men back to land.

It was not the things he plundered during his life that put his name in history, rather it was Blackbeard's death and the moments after. On November 22 of 1918, the infamous pirate fought his final battle.

Captain Maynard was hired to capture and kill Thatch, then bring proof. He brought many of his men to where Blackbeard and his crew had been partying, catching many of them off guard. Most of Blackbeard's men were nowhere in sight, most likely drunk from the night before, putting Blackbeard at a great disadvantage.

As Blackbeard saw Maynard's men approach, he lit off his cannon's killing many of Maynard's men. Maynard sent the remaining men below deck with the exception of himself and two of his best men. This fooled Blackbeard into believing that he succeeded in killing majority of those on board, which caused him to approach Maynard's ship despite being very ill-equipped and with very few men. Once Blackbeard hopped aboard, the men came from below and met him with hand-to-hand combat.

It is believed that Blackbeard received 25 stab-wounds and shot five times by a gun before finally being beheaded. Once beheaded they threw his body overboard and hung his head on the bowsprit of the ship. Rumor has it, that the body swam around the ship three times before sinking, and still haunts that bay today.

All of these men and woman were some of the most infamous people in history. They fought, killed, and stole for their survival. Yet, we often look on them with admiration rather than contempt due to their ability to cause fear and the choices they made in their unique positions.

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Comments 13 comments

angela_michelle 4 years ago from United States Author

Yes, please share... When you can.

vox vocis 4 years ago

It's a fantasy novel based on Celtic mythology. Too early to reveal the details, yet but once it's finished I'll be happy to share more information. Thank you for your interest :)

angela_michelle 4 years ago from United States Author

Oh wow, what is your novel about?

vox vocis 4 years ago

Not really, but I'm doing some research on pirates for my novel. Loved reading your hub :)

angela_michelle 4 years ago from United States Author

Thank you so much. You sound well educated on piracy!

vox vocis 4 years ago

Edward Thatch was one of the rare pirates who were men of their word. Anne Bonny and Mary Reed were spared because they were both pregnant at the time of capture, but Mary died of illness before her child was born. I wonder what happened to Anne - it has remained a mystery until present day. Great hub, voted up!

Cunningness is my vote for the best pirate trait. I think Depp has added to this character for today's view of pirates. Great read on these characters, wow -- a female pirate too. Voted up.

Dolores Monet 4 years ago from East Coast, United States

I certainly enjoyed this hub! Why do we so love pirates? Criminals? I can't help but think it's all about the outfits - but in reality, they must have been a scurvy lot, no baths, no laundry facilities.

kat_thurston 4 years ago

Never really knew that much about pirates this was a very interesting read. I will save this one because my boys would love reading up on this. Thanks for the hub.

angela_michelle 4 years ago from United States Author

I think it would have been amazing to see him in action... from a very far distance...

Faith Reaper 4 years ago from southern USA

Fascinting hub!!! I would not have wanted to come within 100 miles of that Thatch character. He sounds horrifying to say the least. Really enjoyed this read. Voted up, awesome and interesting In His Love, Faith Reaper